Automatic sheet feeding mechanism



Aug. 7,.1945. E. LA BOMBARD 2,381,853

I AUTOMATIC SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM I Filed 'Jan. 7, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnvenTdf. v Leon E.L0Bomb"urd Aiag, .7, 1945. I L. E. LA BOMBARD 2,381,853

AUTOMATIC SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Jan.,7, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

"Patented Aug- 5 I AU'IQMATIG SHEET 1 p i e '17 Claims.

h. t v ete i m re emen f in ee zleet W e. qt m .t

heet th'ar'f e ihe feto f ore been possible, i

Fletcher 115m foraccnrately feegling the individnel sheets, o'fblainks from a jetapk qf -th e cheralcter abov def I n whi th eet m w e of v sheets prtheprinting' theregngetnd alsotlil respec- H ,tiveof Whether the feeqingwhe v H 4 it a cont i ment f i t na 'suxiag "oriwith is" provided spaced fri t'ionalqsurt ces folj intefniittent', teecting' of the Sheets 1 found thaLt'in, menyinstan'ees the sheet he el e' l tei Q 3 he e ee s i c e f the h ts gr by vacuum; pmq ed by expulsion Qffair between smooth s r a e b iad' ee i t h Y Another obfiect' ofjthe inventionfiis' to provide t More, S ec m n the invention cpinpri ses feedf i eme ns nre be e' t r 9 im fipt ed su fa es tens r, fin ei eli d p' 'eit qnxe steels Q s eets in lapped .fgnnegi te etieeao tete ti we g -shel ed le 99 et me j e main wit I fizi'thei' ohjeet of the inVentioniS' to provide 7 1 en a i e ee v 1.t w r 1, 4$! $21 11, 14115??? TI Q I t t t t ta kining the r ucc'essive sheet therefrom.

m eall o ei t f bi i uht e ms nduit" fin" the ourrent of air 6i; w'h'ethithe inenet'cti etedby'eirfinder presguie'ib'rcutnrqqeh said arms, oi bir' a' 'eugr rent of ail under pres'slii'repfddlided by snct ion, xeftedthr u h'saidatmg: j Y Another objeflfof theinvfention is to provide due the articulated arms with a branch con- 'du'it'haVinge 'tnoizle' 'iri pi"oxim'ity t6 the feeding""'m'ebh'a'nism for removing 'fibre's, dust, etc'., which may" accumulate upon the feeding means. i: Ahbthenobje'ct of the invention is to provide an electrically \operated zwressr u'nit which can be readily zmounted zuporr' the hollow. articulated arms abdve 'described 0r--.upon equivalent amticuflatedarmsandi which willtfunctio'n in the manner abovex escribed. 1:; i A,f.urthe ';ghject of the invention is to provide novel means for adjusting the mechanism for supportingthe stack; f sheets and the wedlgei and 'ether hi pts and feewne of the i t new-W111. ef u lt ap ear o e f l g fiteee etiee eedthe ee'elmme e q ewin.

ne noval and delivery gt-successive outermost hollow main arm mounted thereon and communieating therewith, and showing in section a hollow arm communicating with said main arm mounted therein in antifriction bearings, and also showing a portion of the feed wheel and a nozzle for projecting a cleaning blast of air upon the periphery thereof;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional .view on line 4-4 Fig. 1, showing the air motor, the presser wheel, and themeans for driving the presser wheel from the motor; and,

Fig. is a view,partly in vertical section, of a modified form of electrically operated presser wheel mechanism which may be substituted for the construction illustrated in Figs. 14.

The feeding machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 comprises side frames. I, one of which is shown, and which are connected by tie rods 2,3, and 4. A feedwheel 5 having a frictional periphery, such as a rubber tire 6, which may be continuous or in suitable sections to provide for intermittent feeding of the blanks, is fixedly secured upon a shaft 1 which is mounted in the side frames I and driven in any suitable manner. lapping blanks v8 feathered out to present a wedge-shaped lower end is supported upon the bottom 9 of a suitable trough-shaped magazine which is mounted upon suitable supports ll! upon bars l l the lower ends of which are fixedly secured in brackets I2 which are pivotally mounted upon suitable studs I3 on the side frames I. The -brackets l2 are provided with downwardly extending toothed sectors l4 the teeth of which are adapted to be engaged by pawls l5 the opposite ends of which are pivotally mounted upon studs IS on the side frames I. The inclination of the magazine may, therefore be varied by tilting it about its pivotal support l3 and looking it in adjusted position by engagement of the pawl [5 with a tooth of the sector I4. I

The lower wedge-shaped end of the stack of blanks 8 is supported upon a retarder ll, desirably of rubber or other frictional material, which is mounted in a trough-shaped support I8 having a downwardly extending arm l9 provided with a vertical slot 20 and clamped by a bolt 2| which extends through the slot 20 and is seated in a vertical arm 22. The arm 22 is pivotally mounted upon a stud'23 upon the upper arm 24 of a bracket 25 which is fixedly secured tothe tie rod 4.

. The lower end of the arm 22 is pivotally secured to a sleeve 26 which is slidably mounted upon a screw threaded rod 21 which engages internal threads ma trunnion 28 in a downwardly extending arm 29 of the bracket 25. A stop 30, which may be an integralenlargernent of the screw threaded rod 21, forms an abutment against which the sleeve 26 abuts. I A spring 3i, which is interposed between the sleeve 26 and a knurled nut 32 on the rod 21, holds the retarder I! yieldingly in position relatively to the feed wheel and its tension may be adjusted by rotating the nut 32 A stack of over- .ment 30 and the arm 22 to vary the inclination of the retarder IT. The retarder may alsobe vertically adjusted by loosening the bolt 2| and raising or lowering the supporting arm I9 of the troughshaped support for the retarder.

The stack therefore may be properly positioned so that the lower end of the outermost sheet will be effectively engaged by the frictional surface or surfaces of the feeding wheel.

Oneof the principal objects of the invention is to provide means operable'in coordination with the adjustments of the magazine and retarder which will facilitate feeding of successive outermost sheets from the stack and insure proper delivery of the successive outermost sheets irrespective of the tendency of the sheets to cling together and which will also serve to advance the stack of sheets during the depletion thereof. The mechanism for accomplishing this purpose comprises broadly presser means adapted to engage the end portion of the outermost sheet or sheets of the stack and to vibrate or jog the same, and also press or otherwise force them downwardly in suchmanner as to insure maintenance of the wedge-shaped end portion ofthe stack and cause proper engagement of the outermost sheet with thefeed wheel at the time of feed. Any suitable means may be provided to accomplish this purpose such asfa rotatable or reciprocable device adapted continuously or intermittently to engage the upper ends of the sheets of the stack. Two forms of rotary presser means are illustrated respectively in Figs.1-4 and in Fig. 5. In each case the presser means comprises a suitable member which is fioatingly supported upon the upper end of theforemost sheets, or of a plurality of foremost sheets, with means for actuating the same to vibrate the sheets and force them downwardly, together with means foradjusting the position of the presser means which, as shown, comprises a presser wheel, in such manner as to cause it properly to engage the outermost sheet orsheets irrespective of the length of the sheets of the blank.

Desirably the presser wheel is a part of a presser unit which includes a motor for rotating the presser wheel, such for example as a pneumatically. actuated motor illustrated in Fig. l, or the electrically driven motor shown in Fig. 5, the unit in each case being supported upon articulated arms which will enable it to perform the functions above described.

In the construction illustrated in Fig. l the presser unit comprises a housing 33 (Figs. 1 and 4) having mounted therein a rotor 34 provided with suitably curved vanes 35 and having a shaft 36 mounted in suitable bushings and provided at its outer end with a pinion 31 which engages peripheral teeth 38 of a presser wheel 39. The shaft 4!! of the presser wheel 39 is journaled in a suitable bushing M in a boss 42 integral with and extending downwardly from the housing 33. The chamber in which the rotor is mounted desirably is closed by a suitable cover 43.. The housing 33 is provided with a chambered upward extension 44 having a port 45 positioned to direct, a current of air against the vanes of the rotor. A substantially semi-cylindrical, cover plate 46 complementary to the chamber of the extension is secured to it by a lock screw 41 in such manner that by looseni screwthreaded boss .cylindricalntting 5.1 7 of similar character issecapeof airthrough'the joint the main'arm 51 can -,-.,,Byadjusting the pr'esse'r wheel m'engaectne :the 510 h i" screw the'presserunit. can. belrotarily illsted. aboutthe-axis of theilock screw. -The cover, plate: 46. :is' in turn secured to, andiithe chamber vthereof communicates with; a tubular arm 48. which extends into the coverzplate'and desirably is attached thereto by welding.

- Suitablearticulated means areuprovide'di-for floatingly-supporting the;presser; unit; In the preferred construction illustrated the arm 48exttends into-a hollow cylindrical fitting 49 which is provided an inwardly extending internally (Fig. 2 A complementary cured to the fitting 419' by a lock screw 52. which extends through a boss 53' in the member and engagesthe; internal screw threads of the boss 50. The fittinglil, has secured to it a prefer- ,ably tubular arm 54 which extends downwardly and isconnected to a hollow block 55. having a tubular cylindrical extension 56 which is journaledinanantifriction bearing in the end of a tubular main supportingarm 51; r

In the preferred construction illustrated in Fig. 3 the extension 56 is mounted in the inner race 58 of a ball bearing} the outer race 59 oi which tightly fits in a countersunk cylindrical receSs-inthe offset end portion of the main arm 51.1.A washer E0 is. interposed between the, end of thei'nner and'oliter ball. races. and the shoulder of the countersink and. a clamping rin'gt l, which overlies the outer race and is securedtothe offset end'of the mainarm, tightly clamps the-ball races in placein such manner as to prevent esthus constructed. I 'Ihe opposite. end of the arm 51 is provided with" a'fsplitcylindrical'boss .62 having extensions 63 adapted to be clamped by a lock screw 54 upon atubular shaft 65which is mounted in the side frames and which. is closedat' one end and provided with means. (not shown) through i which air under pressure may be. supplied through'the shaft 65 and a suitable port 66 therein to the main arm and from said main arm throughthe arms54 and 48 to the rotor of the pneumatically operated motor.

v Suitablev means are provided for controlling the air pressur supplied cated in the arm 48 for Desirably av supplemental nozzle 61 is mounted upon the shaft.65 and so positioned'asto project a cleaning-blast of air upon the periphery of the feed wheelthereby to remove any fibres or granules which may have adhered to theieed wheel during its frictional engagement with the sheet and which if permitted to remain upon the periphery of the feed wheelwould tend torreduce the frictional engagement'thereof with the uppermost sheet of the stack;

' By reason of the construction above described be pivotally adjusted upwardly or downwardly about the axis of 'the shaft 65 and clamped upon said shaft in adjusted position. The arm 48 may likewise be pivotally adjusted about the axis of the lock screw 52 and in view of the rotatable joint connection between the arm 54 and the main arm 51 the presser unit may be positioned in any desired relation to the stack of blanks, such for example as illustrated by the dotted circle in which the presser wheelengagesthe-face of the uppermost blank or may the ends of one or moreof; the successivelyunderlying sheets of the stack irrespective oithe length of the stacked sheets 1 t to,the,rotor, such as a valve 48min the air conduit which maybe convenience of access,

' the motor upon theupper the pressure upon the outermost upper end or ,GIIdsOf (a1 sheet or sheets underlying the outermost sheet, the rotating presser wheel will vibrateand force such. sheet or sheets lengthwise downwardly thereby pressing the wedge-shaped lower end portion of the outermost sheet into proper engagement withthe rotating. feed-Wheel 5 and insuring; such wedging frictional'engagement,therewith as will cause proper and accurate forwarding of the uppermost'sheet from-the stack into the bite of the feed wheel 5 and the cooperating'roller 68 which ably'mounted-on the tie rod 2.; v

The rotatablegpresser wheel desirably is provided with a toothed periphery which inth con-v struction illustratedcomprises the teeth 38 which engage the pinion 31lon the shaft of the pneumatically operated motor.

By reason of this construction the teeth of the presser wheelnot only serve to force the uppermost sheets. toward the feed wheel butv to vibrate the sheets insuch manner as to, preclude clingingof the. sheets together thereby insuring proper delivery of the outermost sheet to the feed wheel.

motor housing- 33. is provided with an outlet 68 to direct the air discharged from portion or ends of the uppermost. sheets of the stack and by forcing air into the spaces between the vibrating sheets facilitates the separation ofv the sheets from one another.

In order more evenly to direct the jet of air under-pressure upon the vanes of the rotor, the upwardextension 44 of the housing has secured in it a thin flat'defiector 10 which extends into the port through which "air is projected upon the vanes of the rotor.

By reason of the fact that air under pressure is elastic rotatively'yieldableretardation of the. totation of the presser' wheel will be permitted if sheet or sheets of the stack by thefioating presser unit is too so positioned as greatthereby avoiding buckling of the sheets ifated by a current ofair. producedby suction applied through the same conduits and in which the vanes of. the rotor are-reversely positioned and suitable gearing provided for driving the presserwheel in the proper direction.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 5 in which anelectrically operated presser wheel is substituted for the pneumatically actuated presser wheel above described. Inv this 'constructiona'bracket 11 is secured by-the lock screw to the cover-plate 4B whichis carried by the supporting arm 48. An electric mobepositioned to'engage t A cylindrical rim-80,' which the flange '15 and antifriction rings 16, .11 and top 12 which is'mounted upon the bracket. 11 drives through usual reducing gearing shown) a shaft 13 upon which is mounted the hub 14 of the presser wheel. In the construction shown the cylindrical hub 14 is provided with an integralfiange 15 adjacent to the motor. A series of three spaced'frictional rings 16, '11 and 18 of equal diameter are mounted upon the hub M; and secured'to it and together by a key 19. is mounted upon 18, is providedwith aninwardly extendingnanse is rotat- I (not cessive sheets of any 8 I the opposite sides of which are engaged by the friction rings 16 and 11.. A series of equally spaced spring 82 are interposed between the inner friction ring 1'! and the outer friction ring 18, the latter being engaged by a circular plate 83 which is secured'to the end of the hub by an adjusting screw 84. Relative rotation between the hub 74 and the circular plate is prevented by a pin 85 which is seated in the hub 14 and extends through a suitable aperture in the plate 83. The rim 80 is provided with frictional means such as a tire 86 of rubber or other suitable frictional material adapted properly to engage the sheets of the stack in the manner aforesaid.

By adjusting the screw 84 more or less pressure may be imposed by the ring 18 upon the springs 82 and through them upon the friction rings 16 and 71 and the flange 8| of the rim therebetween thus providing a friction clutch which may be properly adjusted to permit retardation of'the rotation of the presser Wheel if the floating presser unit imposes too great pressure upon the sheets of the stack. By reason of this construction the same rotatively yieldable retardation will be obtained as that permitted by the elasticity of the air under pressure used in driving the rotor of the pneumatic motor.

In the operation of the machine the floating presser wheel can be positioned at any desirable relation to the end of the uppermost sheets of the stack irrespective of the length thereof properly to present the lower end of the outermost sheet of the stack to the feed wheel at the time of feed and insure uniform delivery of successive uppermost sheets from the stack.

During the operation of the machine the floating presser wheel will automatically engage and follow the upper ends of the blanks of the pile no matter to what degre they are fanned out until the last sheet is delivered from the pile.

By reason of the relative adjustments of the inclination of the magazine and of the retarder any coordination with the effective operationof the floating presser wheel, proper feeding of sucmaterial 01' any desired thickness of sheets may be accomplished with uniformity and accuracy so that the sheets will be delivered in proper register for succeeding operations.

While the particular embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described herein as a presser unit comprising a continuously rotating presser wheel to engage and vibrate or jog the upper end portions of the superimposed sheets of an inclined stack having a wedge-shaped lower end and act.- ing also to force the outermost sheets downwardly so that the -outermost sheet will be: engaged by the continuous or sectional frictional surface of the feeding wheel, other forms of presser means may be provided simultaneously to vibrate or jog the upper ends of the outermost sheets and force them downwardly such, for example, as an oscillating or reciprocating device (like a windshield wiper) having intermittent engagement with the upper end of the outermost sheet or sheets and which may if desired be synchronized with the intermittent engagement of the feeding mechanism with successive outermost sheets, thereby to vibrate or jog the engaged sheet or sheets substantially simultaneously with the gripping of the outermost sheet by the feeding mechanism.

It will also be understood that while the presser unit embodying an electric motor is illustrated herein as mounted upon the lower end of the tubular arm 48, it may be supported by other forms of similarly articulated arms and that the preferred embodiments of the invention are of an illustrative character and that various modifications in construction and arrangement of parts may be made within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

'Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 1. A machine of the class described comprising frictional feeding means, means for supporting a stack of sheets in downwardly inclined overlapped fanned relation to present a wedgeshaped end with the lower end portion of the outermost sheet in contact with the feeding means, a constantly rotating yieldable presser means engaging the other ends of the sheets next beneath the outermost sheet acting to force said sheets lengthwise, thereby to cause the Wedge-shaped end of the stack to press the end portion of the outermost sheet into, proper engagement with the feedin means without buckling said sheets thereby to permit the feeding means readily to withdraw the outermost sheet from the stack.

2. A machine of the class described comprising continuously operating frictional feeding means, means for supporting a stack of sheets in downwardly inclined overlapped fanned relation to present a wedge-shaped end with the end portion of the outermost sheet in contact with the feeding means, a continuously rotating rotatively retardable presser means yieldably engaging the upper ends of a plurality of sheets next beneath the outermost sheet acting to force the same lengthwise and thereby to cause the wedgeshaped end of the stack to press the end portion of the outermost sheet into proper frictional engagement with the surface of the feeding wheel without buckling the outermost sheet.

3. A machine of the class described comprising continuously operating frictional feeding means, means for supporting a stack of sheets in downwardly inclined overlapped fanned relation to present a wedge-shaped end with the end portion of the outermost sheet in contact with the feeding means, a continuously rotating rotatively retardable presser means yieldably engaging the upper ends of a plurality of sheets next beneath the outermost sheet and provided with means for vibrating said'sheets and acting to prevent clinging of the sheets together and to force the outermost sheet into proper engagement with the 'feeding means without buckling said sheets.

4. A machine of the class described comprising an inclined magazine, means for supporting a stack of sheets therein in overlapped fanned supporting said presser means to enable it to be positioned to engage the upper ends of sheets next beneath the outermost sheet of the fannedout stack at any desired distance from the feeding means and to maintain such engagement during the depletion of the stack irrespective of the length of the sheets of the stack.

5. A machine of the class described comprising of sheets next beneath i 6. A machine of rotat'able feeding mean's,

sheets racting to'torce 'means, a :plurality of v Rporting said presser unit in heating {engagement ing an inclinedmagazine sheets, a fretarder spective oi the assists fedin'gineans, means "for supporting a stack of sheets in overlapped farmed relation to present 'prising'a motor and'a 'rota'tively yieldable wheel directly actuated thereby resting upon upper; ends the outermost :she'et ractingtovibrate-and advance said sheets and to insure proper engagement-of the feedingv means with successive outermostsheets without bucklin said sheets. i

means for supporting ast'ack of sheets in overlapped fannedrelation to; presenta wedge-shaped end EthflrBIld portion of the outermost sheet in engagement withthe-feeding 'means,-- and a bodily movable presser unit comprising a motor and a rotatable wheel provided witha roughenedzperiphery. resting upon'the upper ends of sheets n'ext beneath the outermost sheet and rota'tably cretairdable :in

response to pressure whioh-would-bnckle said intolw'edging engagement with the ieedingmeans,

aridlmeans for maintaining said presser :wheel unit in floatingengagement 'cessive sheets next beneath the outermost sheet with the ends of. sucdurin-g depletion of the stack; Y

7. A machine of the class described comprising :rotatable feeding means, means fforr support- "ing a stack of sheets vin overlapped fanned irelation to present a wedge-shaped end with the end portion-oi "the outermost sheet in engagement with the-feeding means, and a bodily movable presserunit comprising a I motor :and a rotatable "wheel provided with-a roughened periphery restthe olassy'described comprising.

successive" outermostsheets insupon the upper ends of sheets next beneath theoutermost sheet :and rotatably retardable in response to pressure "which would buckle :said

sheets'acting to force successive outermost sheets into we'dging engagement with the feeding articulated members -:sup-

with the -up'p'er ends of the "sheets next beneath the uppermost sheet of the stack, and means for adjusting the position of the presser wheel unit tom-maintain the presser wheel in engage- ?ment with the upper ends of said sheets mext beneaththe uppermost sheet irrespective oilthe I length ofthersheets ofithefstack; I a

8. :A'machin'e of the class described 1 compris- 1for supporting the stack for sheets downwardly inclined overlappedzfanned relation to present :.'a wedge-shaped lower end "resting upon said r'et'arder, continuously rotatable fee'ding means having means africtionally en'gaging'theilower end portion of the uppermost the "same from the "stack,

sheet and forwarding 1a bodily movable presser unit comprising a :mo-

-with the :fieeding i :in'g the .force of the-current actuating the .pneu- -49; Afmachi-ne of the class described comprisfing .an inclined magazine "to receive the stack of' she'ets; a substantially horizontal rietarder for supporting a stack'v of sheets :in the magazine in overlapped tanned relation .to present a wedgeshaped lower end, rotatable feeding means fricltionally engaging thelower end portion-of the uppermost the stack, a (bodily movable presser unit comprising a motor and a continuously rotating rotatively yieldable presser wheel actuated thereby fioati-ngly resting upon the upper ends of the uppermost sheets acting .to force successive uppermost-sheets into wedging engagement with the feeding means, a plurality of pivotally .articulated members supporting said presser :unit with the presser wheel resting in floating engagement with the upper ends of the uppermost sheets of the stack, z-means for adjusting the inclination of the magazine :and means for :adjusting the position of said retarder relatively :to theperiphery of the .feeding wheel to coordinate the resistance applied =by 'the retarder .to ithewedge shaped lower end of the stack to :the force applied by the presser unit to the upper ends of :said uppermost sheets; whereby successive uppermost sheets will be wedgingly forced againstsaid :tee'ding means without buckling "said sheets. I

10. A machine of the class :described compris- ..ing :an inclined magazine, "means :for supporting :a stack of sheets therein in Zinclined -overlapped fanned relation to present :a wedge-shaped lower end, a continuously rotating feeding 'wheel 'fricationally engaging the lower tend portion of the uppermost :sheet and .forwarding the :same, a

presser unit-comprising a pneumatic motor, and a presser wheel zcontinuously actuated thereby. 1pc sitioned to engage and vibrate the upperends of successive uppermost sheets of the stack and wedgingly to .force the same iintoleng'agement with the feedingwheel.

11. A machine of the class described comprising. an :inclined magazine, means for supporting r-of successive uppermost sheets act the stack and .wedgingly to .force the same into engagement heel, .and means :for adjust- :matic motor.

- I :12. A-machine of IthBCIaSS'idESCIlbEQ comprising an inolined;magazine, :means for supporting .a :stack =oi ;sheets therein .in overlapped fanned relation :to {present :a, wedge-shaped lower 'end,

feedingxmea'nsiforxengaging the :lower end Epor- I .ition- :of the uppermost sheet and forwarding the same, a presser unit comprising a pneumatically actuated motor and a rotatable toothed presser wheel actuated thereby, a plurality of hollow communicating articulated members for supplying a current of air to said motor and for sup-- porting said presser unit with the toothed presser wheel in floating engagement with the upper ends of the sheets of the stack thereby to cause vibration of the uppermost sheets of the stack and preclude clinging of one sheet to another 13. Amachine of at the time of feed.

sheet and forwarding the same from wheel continuously actuated thereby the class described comprising an inclined magazine, means for supporting a stack of sheets therein inoverlapped fanned relation to present a wedge-shaped lower end, feeding means for engaging the lower end portion of the uppermost sheet and forwarding the same, a presser unit comprising apneumatically actuated motor and a rotatable toothed presser wheel actuated thereby acting to force successive uppermost sheets of the stack into engagement with said feeding wheel, a plurality of hollow communicating articulated members for supplying air under pressure to said motor and for supporting said presser unit with the toothed presser wheel in floating engagement with the upper end portion of the stack thereby to cause vibration of the uppermost sheets of the stack and preclude clinging of one sheet to another at the time of feed, and means for directing the exhaust fromsaid motor upon the end portions of the uppermost sheets acting in conjunction with saidtoothed wheel to introduce air between adjacent vibrating uppermost sheets and thereby more effectively to preclude clinging of. one sheet to another at the time of feed.

14. A machine of the class described comprising an inclined magazine, means for supporting a stack of sheets therein in overlapped fanned relation to present a wedge-shaped lower end, feeding means for engaging the lower end portion of the uppermost sheet and forwarding the same, a presser unit comprising an electric motor and a rotatable presser wheel actuated thereby acting to force successive uppermost sheets of the stack into engagement with the feeding wheel, means for supporting said presser unit with the presser wheel intfloating engagement with the upper portion of said stack, said presser wheel comprising a hub fixedly secured to .the shaft of said motor, a rim rotatably mounted on said hub having means frictionally to engage said sheets, and means for frictionally securing said rim to said hub.

15. A machine of the class described comprising an inclined magazine, means for supporting a stack of sheets therein in overlappedfanned relation to present a wedge-shaped lower end, feeding means for engaging the lower end portion of the uppermost sheet and forwarding the same, a presser unit comprising an electric motor and a rotatable presser Wheel actuated thereby acting to force successive uppermost sheets of the stack into engagement with the feeding wheel, means for supporting said presser unit with the presser wheel in floating engagement with the upper portion of said stack, said presser wheel comprising a hub fixedly'secured to the shaft of said motor, a rim rotatably mounted on said hub having means frictionally to engage said sheets, and means for 1-6. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, an inclined magazine mounted thereon, means for supporting'a stack of sheets therein in overlapped fanned relation to present a wedgeshaped lower end, a rotatable feeding wheel mounted in said frame for engaging the lower end, portion of the uppermost sheet of the stack, a presser unit comprising a pneumatically actuated motor. and a rotatable presser wheel actuated thereby to engage the uppermostsheet or sheets of said stack and successively force thesame into engagement withsaid feeding wheel, means for floatingly supporting said presser unit and for supplying air under pressure to said pneumatically actuated motor comprising a hollow shaft mounted in said frame providing a conduit for air under pressure, a hollow main arm pivotally and adjustably mounted on said shaft and communicating therewith, a hollow arm pivotally mounted upon the opposite end of said main arm and exsecuring said rim to said hub including complementary spring actuated frictional members engaging said hub and rim and means for adjusting the spring pressure applied to said frictional members. I

tending upwardly therefrom, a downwardly extending hollow arm pivotally mounted upon the upper'end of said upwardly extending arm and communicating therewith and connected to said presser unit and adapted to deliver air under pressure to said pneumatically actuated motor, and means for adjustably clamping the upper ends of said upwardly and downwardly extending arms together in any desired angular relation to each other.

17. A machine of the class described comprising a frame, an inclined magazine mounted thereon, means for supporting a stack of sheets therein in overlapped fanned relation to present a 35 wedge-shaped lower end, a rotatable feeding wheel mounted in said frame for engaging the lower end portion of the uppermost sheet of the stack, a presser unit comprising a pneumatically actuated motor and a rotatable presser wheel actuated thereby to engage the uppermost sheet or sheets of said stack and successively force the same into engagement with said feeding wheel, means for floatingly supporting said presser unit and for supplying air under pressure to said pneumatically actuated motor comprising a hollow shaft mounted in said frame providing a. conduit for air under pressure, hollow main arm pivotally and adjustably mounted on said shaft andcommunieating therewith, a hollow arm pivotally mounted uponthe opposite end of said main arm and extending upwardly therefrom, a downwardly extending hollow arm pivotally mounted upon the upper end of said upwardly extending arm and communicating therewith and connected to said presser unit and adapted to deliver air: under pressure to said pneumaticallyactuated motor, means for adjustably clampingthe upper ends of said upwardly and downwardly extending arms together in any, desired angular relation to each other, and acleaning nozzle mounted on said hollow shaft and communicating therewith positioned to project a cleaningblast of aireupon the periphery of said feeding wheel; v I c LEON E. LA'BOMBARD. 

